The 24-year-old did has chances no harm earlier this week with 120 in the second innings of England Lions’ match against Sri Lanka Emerging Players in Colombo.

Vince, batting at No 5 in that game, made just four in each innings.

A second Lions match against the same opponents was due to start today.

At 22, Vince is the youngest batsman of those considered most likely to be next on the Test scene.

As the panel on this page shows, he also has the lowest first class average of 37.20.

Prior to last season, Vince’s most impressive displays for Hampshire had come in limited overs contests.

But he passed 50 11 times in 23 first class innings in 2013, scoring five centuries - including three in the closing three weeks of the season.

That was a large improvement on passing 50 just twice in 19 first class innings in 2012.

Another factor which could count against Vince at the moment, even if he was to start the new domestic season in the same vein he finished the last one, is the fact he is playing in the second tier of the Championship.

The likes of Robson, Root, Ballance and James Taylor are all top tier cricketers.

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Alternatively, could Eoin Morgan win a recall? The 27-year-old does not boast a great first class batting average, but he offers a bit more experience, having won the last of his 16 Test caps two years ago this month.

After all, there are only so many young-ish, relatively untried (at Test level) batsmen you can throw in at once, even if there remains an experienced spine.

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Comments (1)

This article says it al about English cricket. Cook and Bell are shoe ins - Root and Ballance will not be jettisoned. Oh so Carberry (2nd top scorer) and KP (top scorer) are booted out. Even the ODI and T20 as the bowlers are being dispatched to every corner of Australia it was Briggs who was dropped. Any way, James Vince will not play for England because 1. Hampshire (like Saints) are not in the click. 2. Division 2 club. 3. Is to good a batsman who plays shots and sometimes gets out doing it (this cannot be allowed in an England team) 4. Needs to score 'daddy hundreds' and not graceful 50's Our gain - here is looking to a fantastic season

This article says it al about English cricket. Cook and Bell are shoe ins - Root and Ballance will not be jettisoned. Oh so Carberry (2nd top scorer) and KP (top scorer) are booted out. Even the ODI and T20 as the bowlers are being dispatched to every corner of Australia it was Briggs who was dropped.
Any way, James Vince will not play for England because
1. Hampshire (like Saints) are not in the click.
2. Division 2 club.
3. Is to good a batsman who plays shots and sometimes gets out doing it (this cannot be allowed in an England team)
4. Needs to score 'daddy hundreds' and not graceful 50's
Our gain - here is looking to a fantastic seasonPuddletown Saint

This article says it al about English cricket. Cook and Bell are shoe ins - Root and Ballance will not be jettisoned. Oh so Carberry (2nd top scorer) and KP (top scorer) are booted out. Even the ODI and T20 as the bowlers are being dispatched to every corner of Australia it was Briggs who was dropped. Any way, James Vince will not play for England because 1. Hampshire (like Saints) are not in the click. 2. Division 2 club. 3. Is to good a batsman who plays shots and sometimes gets out doing it (this cannot be allowed in an England team) 4. Needs to score 'daddy hundreds' and not graceful 50's Our gain - here is looking to a fantastic season

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